A WIRRAL mum has praised Globe readers' amazing support for a charity that provides well-stocked bookcases for women's refuges across the country.

Book at Bedtime gives children leaving a refuge the chance to choose a favourite book to take with them and a bookmark; symbolically marking the start of a new chapter in their lives.

Wallasey mum-of-two Amy Vickers had organised a special book collection at Wiggle and Jiggle's Children in Need event for the charity at Wallasey Village Library.

The event was featured in the Globe and had an amazing response.

Thanking our readers, Amy said: "I collected the latest donations from the library following our 'Book at Bedtime' appeal in the Wirral Globe, then spent some time at home sorting through them.

"We have received even more huge, humbling boxes of wonderful quality, second hand books to help mothers and children 'take refuge in a book' at such a frightening and fragile time.

"Baby's first board books, books with textures and sounds, Disney books, Marvel books, poetry books, books about facts, heavy hardbacks and books with shiny sleeves, funny books, treasuries and collections, lesser known, unusual books, books for teenagers, books by famous, fabulous authors, books to cherish always, books with beautiful illustrations, modern day children's classics ... books glorious books.

"From the bottom of our hearts and with a tear in my eye, thank you so, so much for supporting the project."

'Book at Bedtime' is a registered UK charity and Amy's collection is supported by Wallasey Village Library Friends group.

Amy said: "We provide bookcases and books for refuges across the country allowing children and their mothers fleeing domestic violence to escape their reality with a story, bond over a bedtime tale and establish stable routines and feelings of security.

"Regular reading is proven to help children perform better at school and can increase a child’s future possibilities greatly.

"When the children move on from the refuge they receive a book from the collection of their choice and a bookmark to symbolically mark their next chapter.

"The children in refuges often don't have a single personal belonging.

"They regularly arrive, not only confused and terrified, but also with only the clothes they are wearing.

"Schools can be changed, friends lost, and cherished toys abandoned.

"Each bookcase contains a variety of brilliant books that the children can use freely during their stay at what can be a fragile, frightening and fraught time."

As well as needing good quality fun books (covering ages 0-16) each bookcase includes a specialist set of Family Change books which enables play workers to support the children.

Amy helps provide funds and resources to fill, maintain and replenish bookcases locally. £300 provides a refuge with a bookcase, a full set of Family Change books and bookmarks and some brand new books.

She said: "Wallasey Village Library's supporters have been particularly generous.

"My youngest son and I collected a brilliant collection that the families attending Wiggle and Jiggle had gathered.

"If your organisation would like to help, I am always looking for local schools and groups such as Brownies or Cubs to get involved."

To help, you can donate good quality children's books. Drop them into Wallasey Village Library or email amyvickers78@googlemail.com.